Ondo Man Seeks Probe as Mother, Four Children Die After Meal

An Ondo-based man, Mr. Ademola Adeola, has called on the state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of his mother and four children following alleged food poisoning.

Mrs. Esther Adeola, and her four grandchildren reportedly died after drinking liquid pap at their home in Oke Aro, Akure, Ondo State, on Saturday. The grandmother passed away first, while the grandchildren died the following day.

Speaking on the matter on Tuesday, Adeola told the reporters that the children drank the pap early on Saturday, after which they started vomiting and complaining of stomachaches. He rushed them to the General Hospital, Akure, where a doctor suggested giving them palm oil to drink.

All efforts to revive the deceased at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital in Akure failed due to a lack of facilities to resuscitate the victims at the hospital, Adeola said. The late children were aged nine, eight, six, and three years.

In a reaction, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, denied allegations that the victims died due to negligence by the hospital’s doctors. “I was with them at the hospital; there were four consultants and other doctors trying to save the lives of the children, but unfortunately, they died.”

The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, said the case was not reported officially at the police station but that police officers visited the deceased’s residence to investigate.

Adeola noted that all the deceased had been buried. He said, “After taking the pap, I observed that they started vomiting and complaining of stomach. So, I rushed them to the General Hospital, Akure. One of the doctors asked me how I was sure the children were poisoned. He said I should go and give them palm oil to drink.

“I heard him say, ‘I don’t know what to give them. I don’t know what to do, I’m tired.’ Later, they gave them some drugs, and I believe it was the drugs that killed them.”